INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said this week that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively considering expanding the Indian
Premier League (IPL) season to a whopping 94-match format for the next media-rights cycle, which will start in 2028.
However, the board has
no plans to introduce new franchises.
IPL expanded to its current 74-match format in 2022 following the sale of the Gujarat Titans (GT) and
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchises.
There had however been plans to grow the format to 84 matches for this years season but this did not
materialize due to time constraints and broadcasters aversion to too many double-headers.
However, Dhumal told ESPNcricinfo in a recent
interview that an expansion from 2028 is possible.
Definitely, that might be an opportunity, Dhumal said
Weve been discussing in ICC, weve been discussing in-house in BCCI.
Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral
and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, well have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum
value for the stakeholders of the game.
Ideally, wed want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point… So that
every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games.
Given the window and the kind of commitments that we
have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term
But given the landscape, how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time we would look and take that option, he
said.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the duration of the IPLs window will form part of the discussions next year when boards thrash out the
details of the next future tours programme (FTP).
Officials at multiple franchises have told ESPNcricinfo that they would prefer a 94-match
season, but an increase would likely depend on broadcaster interest.
TV and streaming numbers typically drop midway through the IPL season,
which broadcasters privately attribute to viewer fatigue
The 2025 edition will stretch to nine weeks, with 12 double-headers scheduled, and an increase to a full home-and-away season would likely
require two more weeks in the international calendar.
Dhumal described the IPL 2025 season as a success, hailing the competitive spirit
among teams and the emergence of several young Indian players
He also believes that it would be good for the IPL to have a first-time champion this season, with Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers
Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings(PBKS) and LSG all in the mix for the playoffs at this stage.
Every year, its been growing, Dhumal said
We are very glad how the fans have loved this tournament, and the broadcast numbers and in-stadia numbers are all phenomenal
We are hoping to carry on with this being a special edition, the 18th edition
We are very sure that itll continue to grow in the way weve seen over the last 17 years.
The post IPL 2025: League boss says tournament
could grow to 94-match format in 2028 first appeared on TINS News.
